12 Home Remedies for Carpal Tunnel That Will Help You Heal

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful inflammatory condition that affects the nerves in the wrist and hand. It is particularly common among computer users and people who type for long periods. It may also result from overexertion, such as in sports.

Home Remedies For Carpal Tunnel Relief

1. Take short breaks

It is recommended to take short breaks^[1] to ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The causes are unknown, but some ideas include repetitive movements, weight gain, and specific anatomical characteristics that contribute, such as an extended thumb or low wrist level.

Excessive use of your hand may also cause it because you flex over time to grip an object which can lead your median nerve to become inflamed with pressure causing pain when used further on either side (top or bottom).

Your arm muscles might get tired too from being contracted to hold up items, so taking regular breaks could fix things like these issues by reducing stress on them.

2. Stretch your hands

Stretching is another treatment that has been used for centuries to help with pain, cramps, and spasms.

It will increase blood flow to the hands, wrists, and arms and reduce the tightness and pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.

A great way to relax and increase blood flow is to perform warm-up exercises before you begin the activity that may cause or exacerbate your carpal tunnel symptoms.

Stretching your hands as home remedies for carpal tunnel will help get your body ready for what’s to come and reduce the inflammation resulting from making repetitive movements for long periods.

3. Put less pressure

Stress can cause muscles and joints to be tense, which can lead to injury.

Any excess tension in your muscles that come from being stressed can cause more pressure and increase inflammation in your affected areas, which may increase the severity of the carpal tunnel symptoms.

If you are stressed, try not to clench your fists and hands in response, as this will undoubtedly make things worse for you and is one of the most effective carpal tunnel remedies.

Try these techniques to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being and reduce your stress levels:

• Meditate
• Breathe deeply and fully
• Journal
• Hug someone
• Spend time outdoors
• Take a bath

4. Essential oils

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by too much or too little motion in the wrist.

To treat the condition, you want to reduce the amount of motion in the wrist as much as possible. Essential oils are highly effective at reducing inflammation, which will help stop the pain and numbness caused by the condition.

Essential oils that can help with carpal tunnel include lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, and peppermint. Apply these oils to the palms of your hands and massage them gently into your wrists.

You can also diffuse these essential oils in your home to eliminate their scent and get their anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties.

5. Massage

Massage therapy has been used for centuries to treat various conditions, including pain, stiffness, and inflammation. It can also reduce stress and promote relaxation, making it ideal for home remedies for carpal tunnel symptoms. Massage can effectively relieve the tension and pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.

You can massage your hands and forearms in a circular motion or press into the area around the carpal tunnel to increase the intensity.

It will help with the pain, but it will also increase blood flow to the area, which will help get rid of the numbness and tingling.

6. Change your grip

When you type or hold a mouse in the same position with small but repetitive movements, your wrists are in a position that puts a lot of stress on them. It can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, so you need to change your grip to prevent it.

Change from a flat-fingered to a curved-fingered grip. It will put significantly less stress on your hand and wrists.

Many workstation aids can help support the wrists and change the positioning of your hands while working at a desk typing on repetitive mouse work, such as gel supports and adjustable workstations that may help ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

7. Keep your workspace ergonomic

An ergonomic workstation supports your body in a neutral position. It can reduce the risk of discomfort or pain that cause stressors to our bodies. Your workspace should be designed to reduce the amount of stress^[2] put on your wrists and back, neck, and spine.

Make sure there’s a raised area to put your wrists on so that you don’t have to touch the desk all the time. It will allow you to keep your wrists in a more neutral position, reducing the amount of pressure that is put on them.

8. Specific stretching exercises

A great way to keep your wrists from curling up into a painful claw is to stretch them.

Wrist stretches can be done while sitting or standing, and the more you do them, the more your body will respond to them.

Try these three stretches as home remedies for carpal tunnel symptoms:

• The claw stretch – Place your wrists under your armpits and gently stretch your hands until they feel slightly uncomfortable.

  Hold the stretch for 15 seconds and then release.
  Do three sets of 15 repetitions.

• The push-up stretch – Place your fingertips on a wall or the back of a chair and gently stretch your wrists until you feel a slight stretch.

  Hold the stretch for 15 seconds, and then relax.
  Do three sets of 15 repetitions.

• The ten-second stretch – Place your fingertips on a wall or the back of a chair and gently stretch your wrists until you feel a slight stretch.

  Hold the stretch for 10 seconds, and then relax.
  Do three sets of 15 repetitions.

9. Keep your wrists supple

Your wrists are small and delicate, so they’re susceptible to injuries. To keep them healthy and reduce the frequency and severity of carpal tunnel syndrome flare-ups, you need to be sure if they are kept flexible.

Specific exercises can help with this, and these carpal tunnel remedies can reduce pain and inflammation.

Try these three exercises to keep your wrists supple:

• Side-bend stretch – With your palms facing down, bend your wrists so that your fingers point up.

  Hold for 15 seconds and then relax.
  Do three sets of 15 repetitions.

• Finger-curling stretch – With your palms facing up, bend your wrists, so your fingers point towards your feet.

  Curl your fingers into fists and hold for 15 seconds and then relax.
  Do three sets of 15 repetitions.

• Wrist roll – Lay your forearm on a table and gently roll your wrist from the center out to the edge.

  Do three rolls each way, and then relax.
  Do this for 30 seconds and then relax again.

10. Get a wrist support brace

A wrist brace can provide extra support to your wrists, which may help prevent injuries.

Unfortunately, if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you may find relief from wearing a wrist brace when your symptoms flare up when you are doing something that will require prolonged use of the hands.

Some people may consider wearing a wrist or hand brace at night to reduce the amount of bending on their wrists while they sleep. A simple wrist brace can help with carpal tunnel and prevent injuries to your wrists.

They come in various forms, including splints, wrist supports, and braces, and they can be worn while you sleep.

11. Topical Anti-inflammatories

In some cases, anti-inflammatory medication may be all that is needed for mild carpal tunnel syndrome.

There are many topical ointments and natural balms that help relieve the pain and swelling that carpal tunnel can bring and be one of the most effective home remedies for carpal tunnel.

Other treatments might include physical therapy to go along with the topical remedies, which can be prescribed or created from holistic and natural sources, such as essential oils with gentle carrier oils.

12. Keep warm

Keeping your hands and arms warm is one of the most important things you can do to help reduce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The numbness and tingling in your wrists are significant signs of this condition. The symptoms can be very intense and make it difficult to do simple tasks. When your hands are warm, the nerve impulses are free to pass through your hands.

It may relieve some of the pressure build-ups on the median nerve, reducing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Conclusion

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome results from compression or irritation of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel nerve.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow tunnel that runs from the base of the thumb to the middle of the palm. It is located between the radius and the ulna, two bones that make up the forearm.

The carpal tunnel is lined with a protective membrane called the carpal tunnel sheath. This sheath protects the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel. CTS is more common in women, and people prone to repetitive motion also seem to be more likely to develop this condition.